(Creston, Iowa) – Customers of SIRWA (Southwest Iowa Rural Water Association) were placed under a drinking water advisory, Friday. SIRWA recommended their customers boil the water before using for drinking, or to use an alternative source, following a problem in the distribution system, which lost pressure, Friday. The system has been repaired, repressurized, and bacteria samples will be collected. The advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. You will be notified when  the results are available and the advisory is lifted. The system is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to resolve the situation.

Until the test results come back clear, IT IS RECOMMENDED NOT TO DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes. If the water is colored, use an alternative source such as bottled water.
For more information, please contact Matt Schultz with SIRWA at 641–782–5744. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426–4791.

When water service is restored, there may be air in your water piping and the water may be discolored. It is recommended to run the first water from a faucet that does not have an aerator screen, such as a bathtub or hose bib. Open the faucet slowly to allow the air to escape. Once the water is flowing, allow the faucet to run until it is clear. The water may be cloudy at first due to air in the water or particles that dislodged as the pipes filled with water. This should clear fairly quickly. If water is cloudy or colored throughout the house and it does not clear after allowing the water to run for several minutes, use an alternative source such as bottled water and contact the person listed above.